He said the legislation would make early intervention for children at risk central to children and young people’s plans, and that trust boards would be asked to publish annual reviews of progress against plans “so that safeguarding remains a priority”.

He added: “Our responsibility – working together – is to ensure that children are safe and protected from abuse – and I will not rest until we have the very best possible child protection arrangements to safeguard our most vulnerable children in every part of the country.”

Critical report

The DCSF also published separate statutory guidance on children’s trusts today, which comes weeks after the Audit Commission published a stinging report saying a confusion of role, caused by an inconsistent and over-prescriptive approach from government, had hampered trusts’ progress.

Controversially, it warned against councils appointing officers to carry out the twin statutory functions of DCS and director of adult social services (DASS), following an increase in the number of authorities doing so to around 10%.

Warning on joint DASS/DCS appointments

It said: “There are clear distinctions between the roles and statutory responsibilities of the DCS and the DASS. While it is legally permissible for a local authority to combine the role of DCS with the role of the DASS, it is not recommended without a very strong justification.”

In particular, it warned that education and children’s social care should be fully integrated within any such structure, saying councils should not split these responsibilities at assistant or deputy director level.

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